The Honda Civic has a reputation as a reliable, fuel-efficient sedan. We review the 2001 Civic LX trim to see how well it holds up today.
The compact 2001 Honda Civic LX is a compact car boasting a highway fuel efficiency rating of 39 mpg. After five decades in production, the Civic is one of the most trusted cars in the world.
However, while the 2001 Honda Civic LX has many fans, it has also received complaints and critical recalls. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of the 2001 Honda Civic LX and what you need to know before buying one.
The year 2001 was the first year of the seventh-generation Honda Civic.
From 1972 until 2000, the Honda Civic had been a subcompact car. In 2001, the all-new Civic’s exterior dimensions changed little, but its interior space increased enough to bump it into the compact car class, according to Honda. That year, the Civic LX was available as either a coupe or four-door sedan.
Entry-level 2001 Civics achieved a low sticker price by recycling the previous generation’s drivetrain technology; cutting-edge Honda technology was only available in the top trim level Civics. In 2001, the entry-level Civic was the DX.
The LX shared the entry-level drivetrain while shipping with additional features such as power windows, power locks, air conditioning, and cruise control.
The next trim level was the Civic EX, powered by an upgraded engine that achieved modern power and efficiency through Honda’s variable valve timing technology (VTEC). The final trim level was the HX, mating the more advanced engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for world-class fuel efficiency.
The 2001 Honda Civic LX was subject to over two-dozen official recalls, including the infamous Takata Airbag recall.
The Car Complaints website has logged thousands of 2001 Civic owners’ reports of their automatic transmission miss-shifting or failing completely.
However, the issue was never acknowledged and addressed by an official Honda recall. But if the above problems have been addressed, a used 2001 Honda Civic LX can be a reliable and fuel-efficient bargain.
Civic LX appearance and interior Honda offered its 2001 Civic LX was as either a coupe or a four-door sedan. Both came with a total of five seatbelts for the driver and passengers. Both cars were built on a 103-inch wheelbase and offered 12.9 cu. ft. of cargo volume.
The four-door had a 91.4 cu. ft. passenger compartment while the coupe could only afford 85.9 cu. ft. The two layouts offered similar space for front passengers, but the sedan had 36 inches of rear legroom while the coupe cut that to 32.5.
One of the most noticeable increases from 2000 to 2001 Civic interior space was the flat rear passenger floor.
In 2001, Honda Civic LXs were available in nine colors, including Inca yellow, Eternal Blue, Rally Red, Clover Green, as well as the standard black, white, silver, and tan—named “Titanium.” Cloth interiors came in black, gray, or beige.
Unlike the Civic DX, Honda outfitted all Civic LXs with power windows and locks, air conditioning with a micron air filter, and cruise control.
Additional standard interior features included an upgraded tape deck on the four-speaker AM/FM stereo, reclining front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, a locking 60/40 fold-down rear seatback, and an adjustable steering column.
Optional interior features included heating ducts for the rear passengers and a front passenger seat “walk-in” feature with seat position memory.
The 2001 Honda Civic LX came with many standard safety features, such as three-point seatbelts, side-impact door beams, front and rear crush zones, child safety seat anchors, low-fuel and low-oil pressure lights, an emergency trunk release, and power remote exterior mirrors.
Optional safety features included front and side-impact airbags for the driver and front passenger, adjustable front seat belt anchors, and childproof rear door locks.
2001 Honda Civic: Drivetrains
The 2001 Honda Civic LX (like the 2001 Civic DX) was powered by Honda’s 1.7-liter, inline four-cylinder engine dubbed the D17A1. This entry-level Civic engine produced 115 hp (an increase of nine hp from 2000).
The D17A1 would be the last Honda engine sold without the company’s proprietary variable valve timing system (VTEC). Honda already offered VTEC technology in the more powerful and efficient 2001 Civic EX and HX.
The EPA rated the Civic LX’s fuel efficiency at 32 city/39 highway mpg. The gas tank holds 13.2 gallons.
Transmission options included a five-speed manual or four-speed electronically-controlled automatic, each featured an overdrive gear.
The LX is a front-wheel-drive car with power steering, front disc brakes, and rear drum brakes. It came with 14-inch steel wheels.
All seventh-generation Civics enjoyed an upgrade from double-wishbone front suspension to a MacPherson strut system; the new suspension enabled a tighter turning radius, but also added weight and decreased handling responsiveness.
The rear suspension remained a double-wishbone setup with coil springs.
2001 Honda Civic: Awards & Recalls
The 2001 Honda Civic won the Japanese Car of the Year award for a record-breaking fourth time.
The Car Complaints website has rated 2001 as the worst year of the Honda Civic. The website cites the deadly Takata Airbag recall as well as thousands of reports of expensive issues, such as failure of the automatic transmission shared by the 2001 and 2002 Honda Civic DX, LX, and HX.
Over 50 drivers report that Honda paid to replace their transmission, though Honda has never issued an official recall for the malfunction.
Recalls for the 2001 Honda Civic involve lighting, reflectors, a rear seat belt, air cleaner, and fuel pump. You can check any vehicle’s VIN for recall information on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.
When defective airbags supplied by Takata were ruled responsible for 26 deaths and hundreds of injuries, Honda responded by issuing a recall and fixing any affected vehicles free of charge. Honda service centers can rectify any of the 2001 Honda Civic LX’s other official recalls as well.
Many used 2001 Civic sellers have proof that they have addressed the transmission issue. For a buyer willing to do some research, the right 2001 Honda Civic LX may provide budget-friendly transportation for years to come.
2001 Honda Civic: Coupe Features
2001 Honda Civic: Coupe Specifications
2001 Honda Civic: Sedan Features
2001 Honda Civic: Sedan Specifications
Photos: Honda
